NBA Rumors: Cavaliers Relationship With Drummond Blossoming, Contract Extension Looms

Andre Drummond is reportedly exercising his player option to stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers for at least one more year. However, it appears that his stay in Cleveland could be longer. There is the word that Cavs management plans to hand the 26-year-old a contract extension before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2021.

According to Cleveland.com, Drummond and the Cavs have expressed mutual interest in a contract extension. However, anything can still happen between now and October. Drummond or even the Cavs could have a change of heart by that time. That may depend on what is on the table and if Cleveland is open to matching it.

Since he was acquired in February in a shock deal with the Detroit Pistons, Drummond has played in only eight games. At that time, the two-time NBA All-Star also said that he would not be exercising his player option under former head coach John Beilein. But as most know now, things have taken a different twist in Cleveland since J.B. Bickerstaff took over. It appears that Bickerstaff's influence has also rubbed off on Drummond, possibly one of the reasons why he is no singing a different tune.

Keeping Drummond would make sense. In the eight games where he played, he normed 17.5 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 28.1 minutes of action per Basketball-Reference. The production was only a tad below his averages when he was still with the Pistons. Drummond played in 49 games and averaged 17.8 points, 15.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 33.8 minutes.

Drummond would be a big boost to the Cavs who are hoping to bounce back hard next season. He would be teaming up with Kevin Love, a player who Cleveland is reportedly deciding to keep. A third big man who is also reportedly likely to stay is Tristan Thompson. The Canadian has endeared himself to Cavs management although it will still depend on the offer made to him. Thompson mentioned before that he will not take less money than what he is currently making.

Once all those loose ends are addressed, Bickerstaff would have a powerful frontline at his disposal. Pair the trio up with young rising guards in Collin Sexton and Darius Garland and Cleveland could end up being darkhorse of the 2020-21 NBA season. For now, the Cavs are busy planning for their next campaign. They do have key pieces and would do well to keep them in the fray.